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The following is an excerpt from the book,

It's For The Animals! Natural Care & Resources

by Helen L. McKinnon   www.ItsForTheAnimals.com 

HEMOPET  / HEMOLIFE

NON-PROFIT ANIMAL BLOOD BANK  

For Blood Testing of your animal, print out the 2 Blood Test Forms below:      

To Contact Dr. Jean Dodds:

Advisement:  Callers need to be considerate, and in an Emergency, -- explain it clearly-- because Dr. Dodds may be near the answering machine. When dealing with a non-emergency situation, please don't call between 8 pm and 8 am Pacific Time, or Friday night through Saturday night, as that is her prayer time.

Dr. Jean Dodds: Home Office: (Mon/Tues/Fri)
Phone 310/ 828-4804  -- Pacific Time
    Fax: 310/ 828-8251
938 Stanford St.
Santa Monica, CA 90403   USA

Dr. Jean Dodds: HEMOPET / HEMOLIFE Office: (Wed/Thurs) 
Phone: 714/ 891-2022 -- Pacific Time
    Fax: 714/ 891-2123
11330 Markon Drive
Garden Grove, CA 92841   USA

e-mail:  hemopet at hotmail . com (change the at  to @ and omit spaces when typing in address)

HEMOPET Web Site

Why Have Your Animal's Blood Tested through HEMOPET ?

The main reason for sending Dr. Jean Dodds / HEMOPET  the blood samples instead of having the testing done locally, is that HEMOPET is the only group routinely offering expert clinical interpretive diagnostic comments that take into account the age, sex, and breed type of the animal.  This often means an expected normal reference range for an individual pet that differs from the test lab's generic broad reference range. Practitioners usually are unaware of these differences, which have been established by published research and Dr. Dodds' many years (43 years this year- 2007) of clinical and research experience.

Note, Regarding Thyroid testing:

The COMPLETE Thyroid Panel is needed for an ACCURATE diagnosis and assessment of Thyroid Function.  Dr. Dodds' Thyroid Panel # D8T provides the values for: T3, T4, free T3, free T4, T3 Autoantibodies and T4 Autoantibodies.  The fee for that testing is $65., which includes Dr. Dodds' expert interpretation.

If you'd like to have the COMPLETE Thyroid Panel AND the other Blood Chemistry values, the Profile 7200 includes the CBC, Differential, Superchem, AND the Complete Thyroid Panel, D8T as specified above.  The fee for this extensive testing which also includes Dr. Dodds' interpretation is $87.

A little reminder, Dr. Dodds' testing through her non-profit HEMOPET is less expensive and there will be an additional nominal fee for your local vet to take the blood samples, spin the blood, etc., plus the postage (I send it myself).  See additional info below.


For Blood Testing of your animal, print out the 2 Blood Test Forms below:      

How I go about getting the blood testing:   The testing should done during a time of  low stress -- i.e.: not right before, during, or immediately after a heat cycle, or excitement times such as holidays, and not during very cold or hot weather, etc.

 

As one person suggested, it's best to send these blood samples at the beginning of the week (Monday or Tuesday) so that the samples aren’t sitting around over the weekend and perhaps exposed to heat.  Too long of a delay in shipping can ruin the samples.  It happened to one of my shipments as a result of the September 11 attack when all flights were grounded.

 

I make an appointment with my local vet to draw the blood and some samples will be spun in the centrifuge where necessary.  I stay right with my dog, and do not allow them to "take him out back", etc.  My vet is paid the usual fee for this procedure, typically $10.  Then, I pack everything as instructed on the forms, and I highlight the tests to be done.  The tops of the blood sample tubes should be secured with tape.  To protect the glass tubes, it's advised to put them inside a plastic syringe capsule/case, close the syringe capsule securely with tape. I put the submission/request forms in a locked plastic baggie with a 'cold-pack' that's covered with bubble wrap as the whole blood needs to be kept cool but NOT frozen.  If you're adding on a Heartworm test, there's generally enough serum for that as it only requires a small amount (.5ml).

 

I send it myself via US Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail  or FedEx overnight (with the box inside their shipping bag) directly to HEMOPET which is Dr. Dodds’ Blood Bank in Garden Grove, CA- Zip Code Plus 4= 92841-1403. 

 

Note: Blue and lavender top blood sample tubes require and ice pack with an OVERNIGHT courier, such as Fed-EX, UPS, or USPS Express Mail.  Be Aware that USPS Express Mail may not get the package there overnight - you may also find that the USPS will take 2 days for delivery of Express Mail from your location to California.  Dr. Dodds suggest sending the package via USPS 'Click n Ship' as it's just $3.85 including Delivery Confirmation.  Wrap your sample tubes in bubble wrap or paper stuffing and use the free USPS Priority mail box.  Do NOT use padded mailing envelopes.

 

All samples need to be received at HEMOPET Monday through Saturday.

 

If you need overnight delivery, there's lots of FedEx drop-off boxes with supplies under the lid and you can charge the fee to your credit card.

 

Additional Mailing Instructions in a pdf document is here.

 

Please consider having your dog's Blood Typing done.  You will then know if your dog is a universal donor or if your dog may serve as red blood cell donor in certain cases. This could be life-saving information which I learned the hard way.

 

 

Regarding Cats:  Dr. Dodds advises that all cats should have their thyroids tested at mid-life as many cats can become hyperthyroid.

 

Following another person's good example, I add a Donation to the total amount to be paid for the tests.  When 'rounding-up' the amount of the fees - and pay with a check or (or use a major credit card -- except for "Discover").  Just include the check or credit card account # and expiration date with the blood sample  Our donations help support the wonderful work of Dr. Jean Dodds on behalf of our beloved animal companions.  HEMOPET is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so the donation is tax-deductible and fees via HEMOPET are lower for that reason.

 

Major credit cards can be used for payment  (with the exception of Discover)

 

Should you have any questions, please call HEMOPET or e-mail -- contact info is at the top of this page.

 

For blood samples sent from the USA:  Click on these two Links below to download and  print-out  the forms:

 

VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE From Dr. Jean Dodds:

      HEMOPET  Blood Test Request Submission Form -- form 1 of 2

      HEMOPET   Instructions for Testing  -- form 2 of 2

For those who are outside the USA:   Dr. Dodds' staff can Fax to you the Foreign Samples Test Request Forms with instructions, should you wish your veterinarian to send the samples directly.   In that case, be sure that you mark the parcel:

 "DOG Serum, Non- Infectious, for Diagnostic Purposes Only"

(Note: If you write "Animal Serum", it will be confiscated as it could be from livestock.) 

When your animal's test results arrive, and "It's Greek to you",

Click on the Link below for detailed information about Blood Tests:

_________________________________________________________

                 Some excellent information from/about Dr. Dodds:

  The Rabies Challenge Fund 

This is the answer to many of our prayers!  For decades, too many animals have been over-vaccinated with dire consequences.  Rabies is the only legally required vaccination and the laws vary from state-to-state in America.  With this 'Challenge', research will finally provide the science upon which to base rabies vaccination requirements. On behalf of companion animals world-wide, THANK YOU Dr. Dodds & Ms. Christine!

 

Please Send  Donations to:

THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND

 c/o Hemopet

11330 Markon Drive

Garden Grove, CA  92841 USA

"World-renown vaccine research scientist and practicing veterinarian, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of California, and pet vaccine disclosure advocate, Kris L. Christine of Maine, have established The Rabies Challenge Fund to raise money to fund a 7 year rabies vaccine challenge study in the United States.   In addition to the challenge study, the fund will finance a study of the adjuvants used in veterinary rabies vaccines and establish a rabies vaccine adverse reaction reporting system."

 

_________________________________________________________

Caring 'more naturally' for your companion animals --

Would you like to learn more and share your knowledge with others?

Consider joining Helen's Internet Discussion Group, it's free and on occasion, features a Special Guest, answering Members' questions.

Click here to join CompanionAnimalCare-Naturally
Click to join CompanionAnimalCare-Naturally

 

 

~~~~~~  A  note from Dr. Jean Dodds  ~~~~~~

"We operate as a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing the highest quality lab test results and expert interpretations.  Our canine blood products are supplied nationwide for transfusional needs.  The rescued greyhounds at our facility are adopted into pet homes after serving one year in the donor program, thereby fulfilling our commitment to their welfare."

~~~~~~   ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~   ~~~~~

 

Nix Cuthell shares her story about Billy, her Bearded Collie whose life was saved as a result of help from a wonderful Internet Discussion Group, and Dr. Jean Dodds.

 

~~~~~~   ~~~~~~

 

February 2005

 

Lynn Drumm shares her experience about her beloved Issho, a lovely Akita who became very ill after receiving 'combo wombo' puppy vaccinations. As a result, Cathy Pollack, Issho's breeder, made important changes to her vaccination protocol.  Included on her Web Page is a wonderful tribute to Dr. Dodds.  Also, there's wonderful photos of Issho, whose amazing will to live serves to inspire all who take the few moments to read this poignant story.

 

 Issho, her courageous Akita who  with her favorite idol, guardian angel and veterinarian, Dr. W. Jean Dodds at her seminar in Duluth.

 

To follow are just a couple more people's experiences of how her one phone call to Dr. Jean Dodds helped to save their dogs and improve their lives, reprinted here, with kind their permission.

 

2-26-04:

"I sent my latest thyroid panel on one of my dogs to Dr. Dodds rather than MSU as I had in the past.  Her response was so much faster, faxed in to my vet's office within just a few days -- compared to the 4 weeks it took for the last MSU panel I sent in.  I used to call her with the results from the MSU panels I had done, to get her interpretation of the results and to add to her database. But I think I'll send them all directly to her from now on.

I just wanted to tell you that I really love your site.  I just forwarded it to all the lists I'm on. I've been a huge fan of Dr. Dodds since 1991 when two of my Cavaliers crashed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia.

On my parents' recommendation, I called Dr. Dodds and she gave me very detailed instructions on how to deal with the problem. First I had to find a vet willing to follow her recommendations, but once I did, we had improvement.

She kept files on my dogs, and took every one of my phone calls over the years. I did lose one of them, but the other one lived ten years after his crash and died at age 12.5 from his inherited heart condition. From those long years and heartache, I learned to do my own research and stay informed.

I still contact Dr. Dodds with questions regarding the safest way to raise and maintain my dogs (I have a different breed now), and I hand out her phone number all the time. I also switched my dogs to a natural raw diet.

Thank God for Dr. Dodds, and thank YOU for posting all of her information on your website.

Just wanted you to know how much it is appreciated out here in the dog world....

Shannon in Ashburn, VA

 

 

2-12-03:

I would love to share our story about Jean! It's an honor to do so. I am constantly recommending her to others with whom I consult - and I refer them to your great site.  Here's our little story - Thanks Helen.

Love and warm regards,

Ginny

 

Jean Dodds, DVM, founder of HEMOPET, became our lifeline back in 1991.  My first Akita, Trump, was about two years old and Jasmine was seven months when we were referred to Jean.  Someone surely was looking out for us when she was brought into our lives.  You see, for the better part of his first two years, Trump would come home utterly exhausted from walks.  It would take him an hour or so to recuperate.  He would lay in the hall panting heavily, not able to get up.  I kept taking him to the vet during that year and a half and all they said was "he has worms" and would give him that Strongid stuff. But it didn't help. 

 

Then, after a rabies shot in August '91, he had two seizures, he then went lame and he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in September '91.  He was going down very, very fast.  I was desperate.   My friend at Akita Rescue, Puller Lanigan, said call Jean Dodds! I did.  And life changed for the better.... because, with just one phone call and me describing the symptoms, Dr. Jean Dodds immediately knew, first of all, that he was hypothyroid.  Sure enough, the proper tests (you must have a Complete Thyroid Profile, which my vet did not know about ) proved that both Trump and Jazzie had this disorder.  From the test results, Jean prescribed the recommended dosages.

 

She then began my education about vaccines!  Boy was that an eye opener.  In the beginning, I was too uncomfortable not vaccinating, but Jean gave me the options for my initial compromise.  For example, never give combined 5-in-1 vaccines and always give "killed" virus vaccines, and give them separately at least a month apart.  My vet resisted this because the killed virus vaccines were a "special order" back then.  And, he thought it was a waste of money to give vaccines separately.  Well, I thought it was a waste of my beloved Akitas' lives to do it the conventional way!

 

There was heartache along the way to be sure as we had to deal with the subsequent health issues of hip dysplasia and debilitating chronic urinary infections.  What turned the tide was their last-ever rabies vaccine in 1995.   Jasmine was literally paralyzed with pain - she couldn't move a step without crying out in excruciating pain.  And Trump, who never displayed an aggressive or mean moment in his life, got aggressive and bit Jasmine in the neck - the blood was everywhere.  I was finally convinced with Jean's ever available help and guidance -- and I never vaccinated them again.  Another change I made was a switch to feeding a raw diet around 1996-97.

 

And so, because of Jean's counsel between 1991 and 1996, Trump and Jasmine regained their health and lived active and happy lives until ages 13 and 11.  She continued to monitor my beloved Akitas throughout their lives via the blood work results and my consults with her.  All of this is to say, I urge you to connect with Jean Dodds if you have any health concerns for your animals.  Let your vet draw the blood, but have it sent to Jean to run the tests and analyze the results.  She sees and knows things that, in my experience of 12 years now, many vets do not know or miss completely.  Helen and her www.ItsForTheAnimals.com  site have made it easy for you - Jean's contact information and the two forms you need can be printed right from her site.

 

It is in honor of Trump and Jasmine that I take this opportunity to tell you about Jean Dodds, DVM.  I'll end our little story of gratitude with this:  It was just one phone call to one incredible, brilliant, patient, generous and loving person that saved my Akitas.  And, to Jean I say with deepest gratitude - Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

Ginny Rodgers

Herndon, Virginia

 

Excerpt from:

HEMOPET provides …

Essential Criteria for Blood Donor Programs

  • Donor-Recipient Compatibility … donors of "universal" blood type (DEA 4) and cross-matched with recipients.
  • Healthy Donors … screened free of known blood-borne pathogens.
  • Proper Blood Collection, Processing, and Storage … ensures safety and viability of products.
  • Ethical Commitment to Donor Well-Being … enriched environment, exercise, personal attention, and adoption after defined donor period.

HEMOPET Products and Services Include:

  • Canine Packed Red Blood Cells
  • Canine Fresh-Frozen Plasma
  • Canine Whole Blood
  • Canine Platelet-Rich Plasma
  • Canine Cryoprecipitate
  • Canine Cryosupernatant Plasma
  • Canine Frozen Plasma
  • Blood Banking Supplies
  • Professional Consultation

"Today … veterinary transfusion medicine is a vibrant, emerging specialty.

Tomorrow … a coordinated national effort to provide blood products, effective blood substitutes, bone marrow, and tissue banks.

We have reached the first milestone in setting a national standard for animal blood banks. Our goal for the 1990's is to form other regional centers and consolidate the national program."

W. Jean Dodds, DVM … Founder and President

"Support our ethical commitment to the donor animals that make this service possible … join our donor rescue / adoption program." Please call:

 RESCUE NAME:

HEMOPET

GREYHOUND ADOPTION PROGRAM

BREED:

GREYHOUND

CONTACT:

HEMOPET

 

ADDRESS:

11330 Markon Drive Garden Grove, CA  92841
USA

 

HOURS:

8:00am - 5:00pm
Pacific Time

 

DAYTIME PHONE:

714/ 891-2022

 

FAX :

714/ 891-2123

 

E-mail:

hemopet at  hotmail . com (omit spaces when typing in address)

  Note: email may not be checked so telephone contact / fax is suggested.

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, donations are tax deductible.
Fed. ID #95-4063237
 

ã Copyright 1995-2007 Helen L. McKinnon All Rights Reserved

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